Guys, guys, this exam might not be the most fun thing on earth (although I can assure you that it ain't nuthin' compared to what we women have to put up with), but it can save your life. No one likes discomfort, and no one wants to think about getting diagnosed with cancer*, but in most cases, prostate CA is slow-growing and can be controlled if caught early enough. Bite the bullet, and let your doctor check you out.

Hauling, it was almost too late for me. Almost.

For men who don't want the rectal exam, at least get the PSA testing done. It's a blood test, and you're going to have that anyways if you're getting a routine checkup, so have the Doc add that PSA test to his list of things to do with your bloodwork.

My prostate was pretty normal on the DRE, but my PSA was absolutely through the roof. The biopsy confirmed cancer.

I wasn't going to do anything about it because I didn't like the idea of likely incontinence and/or impotence. I think that's what stops most guys from even checking, the fact that once he knows he's got cancer, he has to make a decision that could ruin his quality of life, permanently.

Fortunately, in most cases, proton therapy has minimal (if any) side effects, and certainly not the ones I mentioned above. (Emphasis on "in most cases"...there aren't any guarantees for any treatments).

I'm just fine, a little tired still, but everything's working! The most difficult part of the proton treatment was discovering it in the first place, and I believe I had some help from the Guy Upstairs in that regard.

Hopefully, nobody you know will ever need treatment for this disease, but if somebody does, please remember this thread, and pass along this info about proton therapy for prostate cancer. You'll be saving somebody a lot of anguish in choosing his path of treatment.

Re: Prostate Cancer - If you, your spouse, or anyone you know has been diagnosed with it.

HI, UBUP. I just read this post even though I've been around since May. i guess I was just so obsessed with the stupid score thing that I didn't have the time to look at anything non-score related, and this is very important. DH's mom died of breast cancer 10 years ago. Unfortunately, she knew about the lump for 4 years before doing anything about it and then it was toooo late. She's one of those "put your head in the sand" kinda people, and she definitely drank wayyy too much, and I think she just ran from it. Very sad. she was 46. :*(

Anyway, It's wonderful to hear that your bloodwork came back go good this past week. What a great day for you. I think you definitely should continue to "bump" this up every month.

Re: Prostate Cancer - If you, your spouse, or anyone you know has been diagnosed with it.

HI, UBUP. I just read this post even though I've been around since May. i guess I was just so obsessed with the stupid score thing that I didn't have the time to look at anything non-score related, and this is very important. DH's mom died of breast cancer 10 years ago. Unfortunately, she knew about the lump for 4 years before doing anything about it and then it was toooo late. She's one of those "put your head in the sand" kinda people, and she definitely drank wayyy too much, and I think she just ran from it. Very sad. she was 46. :*(

Anyway, It's wonderful to hear that your bloodwork came back go good this past week. What a great day for you. I think you definitely should continue to "bump" this up every month.

Congrats to you - have a happy and healthy holiday!

EDITED: (I used great three times in the same sentence!!)

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, Booner72. I know it was years ago, but it must still hurt.

I doubt very much that I would've found out anything about proton therapy on the internet 10 years ago. Even a year ago, before I discovered this treatment, I was going to "put my head in the sand" and ignore the problem if I hadn't found this solution...I didn't want to be cut up...I wasn't about to lose my manhood. I was going to "die with my boots on", so to speak.

I hope you don't blame her, and may she rest in peace. (She sounds like she's stubborn...we would've probably gotten along quite well!).

I also know that I'm being a little self-centered here, I've been posting about prostate cancer and how proton therapy can help cure this disease. But there are many more cancers that can be addressed by protons, especially in young people (kids).

Anyone that has an issue can do a search to find appropriate uses of protons in treatment of disease.

Thank you for your thoughts, and a Happy Holiday to you and your family, for sure!!

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